U.S. Officials: Russian Airstrike in Syria Targeted Rebels Backed by CIA

A Russian airstrike in Syria on Wednesday attacked opposition rebels supported by the CIA and other intelligence services, U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal.

The targeting of U.S.-backed militants, fighting to overthrow Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, will most likely increase tensions between Moscow and Washington, the journal reports, particularly at a time when the two countries have a mutual enemy in the Islamic State.

Anonymous U.S. officials reportedly told the journal they believe Russian president Vladimir Putin’s military goal in Syria is to bolster the Assad government against its enemies, a group that includes militants supported by the CIA since 2013.

Assad Approves Russia’s Decision to Send In Troops

President Assad welcomed Russia’s decision to send in troops on Wednesday to his war-ravaged country, the Washington Post reports, saying that Moscow’s move is the result of a direct request from Damascus for military support.

Assad released his statement as Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria for the first time.

Russia’s offensive came just hours after lawmakers at the Kremlin voted unanimously to allow President Vladimir Putin to dispatch Russian troops to Syria. Russian government officials were quick to note that Moscow intends to use only its air force in Syria, not ground troops.

Top NATO General: Russians Embarking on ‘Air Defense Bubble’ over Syria

Although Russia contends its goal in Syria is to defeat the Islamic State, NATO’s top commander has told the Washington Post he believes Russia’s increasing foothold in Syria could be “the first pieces of an intricate layer of defensive systems deployed to hinder U.S. and coalition operations in the region.”

General Philip M. Breedlove said on Monday, “As we see the very capable air defense [systems] beginning to show up in Syria, we’re a little worried about another A2/AD bubble being created in the eastern Mediterranean.” A2/AD is the nickname for an anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) system that includes a combination of surface-to-air missile batteries and anti-ship missiles. Once deployed, these can thwart forces from entering or crossing through a certain area, be it by land, air or sea.

Breedlove suggested Russia’s installation of high-tech air defense systems in Syria has little to do with fighting the Islamic state and much more to do with supporting the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Top Image: Russian president Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad, at the Kremlin in 2006. Russia has been a longtime ally of Assad. (Mikhail Klimentyev/AP)

Recommended Reads

• The Wall Street Journal: Russian Airstrikes Target CIA-Backed Rebels, U.S. Officials Say
• The Washington Post: Assad Welcomes Russian Decision on Sending Troops
• The Washington Post: Top NATO General: Russia Building Air Defense Bubble Over Syria